Six months after Israel announced that it was easing the blockade of the Gaza Strip [BBC backgrounder], there is little sign of economic improvement for the struggling territory, according to a report published Tuesday by 25 human rights groups including Amnesty International [advocacy website]. The report, entitled "Dashed Hopes" [text, PDF] says that, though there has been some increase the amount of food stuffs allowed to enter the Gaza Strip, there is still a lack of raw materials for factories and other necessary supplies being let into the territory. The report says this is destroying the Gaza Strip's weak economy and keeping most of its people dependent on foreign aid. According to the report, 39 percent of the residents are unemployed and 80 percent of the population is dependent on foreign aid because they cannot afford necessary goods. The groups allege that the blockade is in violation of international law and that Israel is violating its legal duty as an occupying nation to ensure the welfare of the residents. The Israel Coordinator of Activities in the Territories responded that the accusations by the rights groups were biased and distorted [Jerusalem Post report] and meant to mislead the public. Israel said it is committed to carrying out the easing of the blockade and wants to ensure that the raw materials it allows into the territory cannot be used for terrorist or militaristic activities.

About Paper Chase

Paper Chase is JURIST's real-time legal news service, powered by a team of 30 law student reporters and editors led by law professor Bernard Hibbitts at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. As an educational service, Paper Chase is dedicated to presenting important legal news and materials rapidly, objectively and intelligibly in an accessible format.